Robert John Fleming (Canadian politician)
Encyclopedia
Robert John Fleming was twice Mayor of Toronto (1892–1893 and 2nd incumbency 1896–1897)
Born in Toronto
, Robert John Fleming was of Irish ancestry, the son of William and Jane (Cauldwell) Fleming. Educated in Toronto public schools he first entered the business world in real estate. From there he moved on to the Toronto Railway Company
becoming the general manager in 1905.
Fleming's political career began as an Alderman
1886 to 1890. In 1892 was elected mayor of Toronto. He was reelected in 1896 and the next year as mayor. He resigned in 1897 to accept appointment as an assessment commissioner of Toronto and held that position until 1904. In 1894 presided over the National Exhibition Conventio at Montreal. Fleming was president in 1895 of the Dominion Prohibitory Alliance. He strongly believed in the prohibition of liquor traffic.
Fleming ran for mayor again in 1923 against Mayor Charles A. Maguire
and was defeated.
As a businessman he was general manager of the Toronto & Niagara Power Company, general manager of the Toronto Electric light Company and general manager of the Electrical Development Company . He as also director of the Toronto Board of Trade. He was a member of the Toronto Harbor Commission in 1921.
Robert John Fleming died in 1925 and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto
.
Born in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Robert John Fleming was of Irish ancestry, the son of William and Jane (Cauldwell) Fleming. Educated in Toronto public schools he first entered the business world in real estate. From there he moved on to the Toronto Railway Company
Toronto Railway Company
The Toronto Railway Company was the first operator of horseless streetcars in Toronto.Formed by a partnership between James Ross and William Mackenzie, a 30-year franchise was granted in 1891 to modernize transit operations after a previous 30 year franchise that saw horse car service from the...
becoming the general manager in 1905.
Fleming's political career began as an Alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
1886 to 1890. In 1892 was elected mayor of Toronto. He was reelected in 1896 and the next year as mayor. He resigned in 1897 to accept appointment as an assessment commissioner of Toronto and held that position until 1904. In 1894 presided over the National Exhibition Conventio at Montreal. Fleming was president in 1895 of the Dominion Prohibitory Alliance. He strongly believed in the prohibition of liquor traffic.
Fleming ran for mayor again in 1923 against Mayor Charles A. Maguire
Charles A. Maguire
Charles Alfred Maguire was mayor of Toronto from 1922-1923.Charles Alfred Maguire was born in Toronto, the son of James Maguire and Elizabeth Brown....
and was defeated.
As a businessman he was general manager of the Toronto & Niagara Power Company, general manager of the Toronto Electric light Company and general manager of the Electrical Development Company . He as also director of the Toronto Board of Trade. He was a member of the Toronto Harbor Commission in 1921.
Personal life
He married (first) in December 1879 Margaret Jane Breadon, who died in March 1883; she was the daughter of Christopher Breadon of Montreal. His second marriage in October 1888 was to Lydia Jane Orford, daughter of William Orford of Toronto. He was the father of four sons and five daughters. Fleming had an active interest in thoroughbred horses.Robert John Fleming died in 1925 and was buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto
Mount Pleasant Cemetery is a cemetery located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.In the early 19th century, the only authorized cemeteries within the city of Toronto were limited to the members of either the Roman Catholic Church or the Church of England...
.